Cape Sounio Private Tour from Athens with Temple of Poseidon

Temple of Poseidon sunset, Athens Riviera drive, Greek food by the sea

A private tour from Athens to Cape Sounio includes hotel or airport pickup, a professional driver fluent in English, and a drive along the Athenian Riviera to the Temple of Poseidon: a 5th-century BC monument overlooking the Saronic Gulf. The driver provides commentary but does not enter archaeological sites. You choose between a traditional Greek lunch at a seaside tavern near Anavyssos or a stop at Lake Vouliagmeni on the return. The temple closes 30 minutes before sunset, and the tour lasts 5 to 6 hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Herakleidon Museum1h 30m
2. Cape Sounion40m
3. Temple of Poseidon40m
4. Lake Vouliagmeni10m

Private tour to Cape Sounio and surroundings

• Pick up from hotel or airport
• Drive along coastal road via Glyfada
• Pass by Voula suburb
• Pass by Vouliagmeni suburb
• Pass by Varkiza suburb
• Pass by Anavyssos town
• Visit Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon
• Stop for traditional Greek food near Anavyssos

The experience

The route begins with pickup from your hotel, apartment, Airbnb, Athens airport or Piraeus port. From there, the drive winds through Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza and Anavyssos: suburbs and towns that form the Athenian Riviera, where small beaches and rocky stretches line the coast. The road itself is the first part of the experience: small beaches with sandy or rocky shores, clear water and open sky accompany the drive south toward Cape Sounio, which sits 59.6 kilometers from Athens at the southernmost tip of the Attic peninsula.

At Cape Sounio, the Temple of Poseidon rises on the headland, surrounded on three sides by the sea. Built between 444 and 440 BC during Athens' Golden Age, the Doric temple stands at almost 60 meters above the water. Your driver can answer questions about the site and its history, but does not accompany you inside. You explore the ruins and the views on your own schedule. The temple closes 30 minutes before sunset, so timing matters if you want to see the light change over the Saronic Gulf: a moment many visitors travel here to witness.

On the return to Athens, the tour splits depending on which option you chose at checkout. With the Greek Traditional Food option, you stop at a seaside tavern near Anavyssos for lunch or dinner of authentic Greek cuisine. Without food, the stop is Lake Vouliagmeni instead: a small brackish-water lake fed by underground currents, nestled in the Athenian Riviera south of the suburb of Vouliagmeni. The vehicle is air-conditioned, bottled water is provided, and WiFi is available on board.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel, apartment, Airbnb, airport or port pickup and drop-off.
• professional driver with deep knowledge of history and fluent English.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• your choice of a traditional Greek lunch or dinner at a seaside tavern near Anavyssos, or a stop at Lake Vouliagmeni on the return.

Options for this experience

2 options

Without foodGuide in English · 21 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00Pickup is included

Includes traditional Greek foodGuide in English · 17 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 18:00Lunch or dinner: savor authentic Greek cuisine and traditional dishes. Includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day21 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site€ 20

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by My Athens Transfers

Is this one for you?Pick the private version if you want to linger at the temple ruins and choose between a beach swim or lakeside stop based on what appeals to you that day.

Traveler reviews

4.92★★★★★★★★★★

137 verified traveler reviews

5 ★127

4 ★9

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How long does the drive to Cape Sounio take from Athens?

The drive to Cape Sounio takes about 1.5 hours from your pickup point in Athens, and the return journey is the same length. The full tour lasts 5 to 6 hours including time at the temple and the stop on the way back.

Can the driver enter the Temple of Poseidon with me?

The driver is not a licensed tour guide and does not enter archaeological sites. They are knowledgeable about the temple's history and can answer questions, but you explore the ruins on your own.

What time does the Temple of Poseidon close?

The Temple of Poseidon closes 30 minutes before sunset. From November to April, sunset is around 5 p.m., so plan your visit accordingly if you want to see the light at the site.

What's included in the tour besides the drive?

Hotel or airport pickup and drop-off, a professional driver fluent in English, air-conditioned transportation, bottled water and WiFi on board are included. If you choose the Greek Traditional Food option, lunch or dinner at a seaside tavern is also included. Without that option, you stop at Lake Vouliagmeni instead.

Is there a licensed tour guide available?

A licensed tour guide can be arranged upon request and depending on availability, but this is not included in the standard tour and would be an additional cost.